Cancer, Combat and Conquer

Here we go again I am standing on my soap box….Cancer and our communities. We have the lowest diagnosis rates but the highest death rates. What is going wrong? Why is this happening?

We see cancer as a shame thing, we don’t talk about we don’t want to think about it. Bury your head in the sand and it will go away. Well that doesn’t actually work, because while we are burying that head, our bums are up in the air and next thing you know colon cancer!

Cancer is a killer lets be realistic about that. Not all cancers are uncontrollable. We can deal with some we have cures for many if they are caught early enough. We need to go and get our pap smear and then go back to the doctor to see what the results are. We need to get the susu taken care of, AS they say get to know your breasts, if you feel something different or if they just feel different get it checked out. Don’t forget that if you are older or if you have a family history of Breast cancer go to breast screen. If you are shame or scared take a friend. I have heard of a group of ladies who made a day of it they went and then had lunch. They all went back again together for their results so they could support each other.

Breast Cancer has really great outcomes there has been a lot of research into it and a lot of information available. Ovarian Cancer actually kills more women. So don’t let any little thing put you off going to the doctor if you get pains, you think something is wrong with your periods go and get it checked. Go and see a lady doctor. Don’t be shame, because your shame could cost you your life.

Now I haven’t forgotten you fulla’s out there. You have to get checked get that prostrate checked, and like women check for anything unusual around your breasts because men get breast cancer too. While you’re at it check out that cough and give up smoking, lung cancer is the next big one for our men. Liver cancer I almost forgot it. Men you need to be aware of these and get yourself checked make appointments with your women and do things together, back each other up.

The other problem we face is the increasing number of Brain Tumours in people over 40. Yep you hear it on the news all those footballers, well they are just copying me. We as a people have an increasing rate of brain tumours. The causes as I keep calling them Punch drunk (from fights & the fighting tents) Saddle drunk (ringers rodeo and cattle men) Tackle drunk (from playing sports). This isn’t just for the men women have it too. I have a brain tumour they can’t tell me if it’s from domestic violence or from playing soccer.

So what can we do to stop this? We have to stop seeing Cancer as something to be scared of. We have to stop hiding it away. I hear stories of people who have felt abandoned when they are diagnosed no one comes around. No one is there to help them, support them. Families sometimes keep it in the family. Well let’s get it out there.

CANCER IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF. Hiding it away is something to be ashamed of. Ignoring the signs is shameful, not helping our own people in the community is not just shameful it’s abhorrent.

We have to get out there and share our stories we have to let other people know that Cancer isn’t always a death sentence. It’s hard to sit in an office and hear the word cancer but it’s a lot harder to give in and just leave your family in the lurch.

I have been told I am terminal. I say ain’t no freaking bus stopping here. I was told I could go in a second or I could go in 20 years. Well I chose to ignore them and keep living. I do my check-ups I do my medication. I do the right thing, It caused me problems as chemo didn’t quite gel with me. But shit happens and I am determined to keep going. I have been clinically dead more times than I care to think of. I have had the hospital phone my kids to come and say good bye. But I wasn’t ready. I have too much to do yet.

I have kids to raise. Grandkids to get. I have to share the news of cancer is not a shame thing. I have to make sure my mob is healthy and understand that they can deal with cancer, they can combat it conquer it.

I am not a survivor I am a conqueror.